# Argentina legend Lionel Messi retires from international football

https://mins.news/en/item/38990

- Al Jazeera, 2026-08-31 15:47 UTC
- Sports
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/8/31/argentina-legend-lionel-messi-retires-from-international-football?traffic_source=rss

> Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final. The 39-year-old said the painful decision was the right one, following Argentina’s 1-0 defeat by Spain in the 2026 final. Messi had captained the team to the 2022 World Cup title.

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